St. James Cathedral Basilica

Welcome! We are the Cathedral parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn serving the communities of Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo and Vinegar Hill. 

We are a diverse community who together strive to celebrate our faith through Word, Prayer, Worship, Community and Service.

URGENT UPDATE FROM THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN 
 
Given the continuing and growing concern about the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Bishop DiMarzio has determined that all public masses be cancelled in the Diocese of Brooklyn beginning Monday, March 16th, until further notice. This includes weekday masses as well as Sunday. Funerals and Weddings will be permitted but should be limited to family members only. Parish baptism celebrations should be limited to family only, if they cannot be postponed. Confirmations should be celebrated with the Rite of Confirmation without Mass, if need be, and in consultation with the Bishop scheduled to celebrate the Confirmation.  
 
The faithful of the diocese are reminded that the Bishop has already issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. The obligation to keep the Lord’s Day holy can be fulfilled by maintaining a prayerful attitude and through personal and family prayer.  
 
The faithful are urged to watch the celebration of the Eucharist on TV, as well.   
 
The celebrations are scheduled as follows: Saturday at 6 pm: Vigil pre-recorded from Immaculate Conception in Jamaica (English) Sunday at 11 am: Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English) Sunday at 1:30 pm: Pre-recorded from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish) 
 
NET-TV can be seen in the New York City are on Spectrum (Channel 97), Optimum (Channel 30) and FIOS (Channel 48). Viewers can also tune in online at www.netny.tv. 
 
In light of the continuing crisis, the situation is being monitored carefully and updates will follow. Let us continue to pray, especially through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, for those who are sick, for medical personnel and for all people as we confront this challenge. 



Churches and Liturgy
In an effort to be proactive in our response to the spread of the Covid 19 Virus, Bishop DiMarzio has dispensed the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until further notice.
 
Public Masses will be celebrated; however the faithful are urged to exercise caution and try to limit the numbers of persons gathered. This is in an effort to be in compliance with the State’s regulations about large public gatherings. This dispensation remains in effect until further notice.
 
Weekday Masses, too, will continue as usual with the normal precautions people should take when gathering in public places. Other celebrations (such as weddings and funerals) may take place but attendance should be limited. Celebrations such as Confirmations, First Penance, etc. may take place but attendance should be strictly limited, perhaps including only family members. There is an option for an Order for Confirmation without Mass, if this is desired. In these extremely difficult and challenging times, our primary duty is to keep the faithful safe and healthy.
 
When gathering, the faithful are urged to take the necessary precautions including hand washing, remaining at a safe distance from others and other safe practices, such as the reception of Holy Communion in the hand.
 
Schools
The elementary Catholic Academies and Parish Schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn will close next week, Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20. Monday will be used as a professional day for teachers to develop their distance learning plans. We anticipate that beginning Tuesday, children in the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Academies and Schools will have access to online learning.
In addition, the leadership of all Catholic Academies and Parish Schools are committed to following CDC guidelines regarding deep cleaning and sanitization of buildings.
 
This decision is being made out of an abundance of caution due to the rapidly changing situation and after consultation with city and state agencies. Please continue to monitor your Catholic Academy and Parish School websites next week for further updates.

Religious Education Programs
All in-person parish religious education classes, all youth ministry classes and group meetings (including all CYO activities) and all adult faith formation sessions (including RENEW and other small faith sharing groups) will be cancelled until further notice. As previously stated, all Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis classes, events, workshops, and other gatherings are also canceled during this period.
The health of all the faithful of the Diocese is of utmost concern, so let us continue to pray to the Lord Who is a healer to protect us and bring about quickly an end to this present crisis.
 
Office of the Vicar General
Diocese of Brooklyn
310 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tel: 718.399.5995
Fax: 718.399.5965